Moldova Eyes Relief as Gas Prices May Fall
The price of natural gas for households in Moldova could drop below 10 lei per cubic metre by the end of this year, according to Energy Minister Victor Parlicov.
Speaking on the Moldova 1 TV show "În Context", Parlicov said that the recent surge in gas prices on international markets has begun to stabilise, and that prices are expected to return to pre-crisis levels.
"We are gradually entering a normal phase," Parlicov said. "I believe that this year we will return to a more familiar status quo, with prices below 10 lei."
The minister also spoke about the importance of diversifying Moldova's gas supply, and highlighted the recent import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States as a positive step in this direction.
"We were the first to use the entire route," Parlicov said. "Even though we were only a formal part of this corridor, Energocom was the first company to use the Bulgaria-Greece interconnection to bring gas here, using reverse flow on the Trans-Balkan pipeline, and to pump gas into storage facilities in Western Ukraine."
The LNG was purchased at a competitive price and will be delivered to residents on the right bank of the Nistru River.
The diversification of gas supplies is particularly important for Moldova as the contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine expires at the end of 2024.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
